Bonaparte, First Consul

Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres painted "Bonaparte, First Consul" in 1804, portraying Napoleon Bonaparte as the First Consul. This distinguished work can be found at the Curtius Museum in Liège. The portrait depicts Napoleon with his hand tucked inside his waistcoat, a pose that symbolized calm and stable leadership among rulers of that era.

In 1803, Napoleon visited Liège and was profoundly moved by the struggles of the local population. In response, he allocated funds to aid the reconstruction of the Amercœur quarter. As a gesture of goodwill, he also promised the city a portrait by Ingres. True to his word, the painting was completed and sent to Liège the following year.

Since Ingres was only 23 at the time and could not have Napoleon sit for him, he based his work on an earlier portrait of Napoleon from 1802 by Antoine-Jean Gros. The painting depicts Napoleon at the age of 34, poised to sign a decree for the reconstruction of the Amercœur quarter. This act symbolized the benefits of being part of France and underscored Liège's integration into the French nation.

In a departure from earlier representations, Napoleon is portrayed in a red consul uniform with short hair, adopting a civilian pose with his hand inside his jacket. The background features St. Lambert's Cathedral, which was being demolished during the Liège Revolution. This element symbolizes the reconciliation between the French Republic and the Catholic Church, highlighting the improved relations between France and the papacy following the Concordat of 1801.